Gurfa

 

Gurfa (Arabic, noun): the amount of water than can be held in one hand

 

Imagine - if we had to select our lives

To fit in a fistful,

Just enough to be held

In a cloud’s dream

What would you choose?

Your love for mountains?

That Alpenglow in Munsiyari?

Sunrise on the Nanda Devi?

 

We have been through so much

Yet, your love so untarnished

I am sure if you squelch the mud

Pure water would remain

Glacial clean, refreshing

Meltwater drizzling

Just like the spring

In Yuksom’s pristine hills

 

As for me, I can only shine

As a new moon’s night

The Yin on the other side of the hills;

Perhaps, a pool also remains

But not the same –

Undrinkable, a Gurfa of saltwater

From all the lagoons we didn’t see

In concealed valleys and unseen eyes…

 

26^th Feb’2025